Freddie Bell and the Bellboys
Freddie Bell and the Bellboys were an American
vocal group,[1] influential in the development of rock and roll in the 1950s. Their recordings include "Hound Dog", "The Hucklebuck" and "Giddy Up a Ding Dong".[1]
Career
The group were established in 1952 by
Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. They were later joined by Roberta Linn
, who was married to Bell from 1961 to 1973.
In 1955, they made their first
Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog" (first recorded by Big Mama Thornton).[1] When performing the song in Las Vegas, they were seen by Elvis Presley, who was impressed and decided to record the song himself.[2][3]
The group was signed to
UK Singles Chart.[5] The publicity for the single said, "If these sides don't move you, see a doctor – you're dead."[4] The group also appeared in the 1956 film, Rumble on the Docks.[6] In 1957, they became one of the first American rock and roll acts to tour the UK in 1956 when they supported Tommy Steele.[1] They toured Australia in 1957 as part of Lee Gordon's Big Show, sharing the bill with Bill Haley and the Comets, LaVern Baker and Big Joe Turner
.
In 1964, they appeared in the film, Get Yourself a College Girl, with 1960s groups such as The Dave Clark Five and The Animals.[7] However, their international tours did little to enlarge the popularity of the group in America, where they had no
hit records. They continued to do well for some years in Las Vegas.[1]
Freddie Bell died, aged 76, in 2008. The final surviving member, Jerry Mayo died, also aged 76, on June 10, 2011.[8]
Band members
- Freddie Bell (September 29, 1931[1] – February 10, 2008)
- Gary Olds (Drummer/singer) died 2008. He performed at Las Vegas and Los Angeles venues, and was Bell's musical director in the latter years of his life.
- Frankie Brent (March 9, 1934 – August 26, 2002)[9]
- Jerry Mayo (August 31, 1934 – June 10, 2011)
- Russ Conti aka Russell Caltabiano (October 20, 1933 – May 4, 1992)
- Bobby Ruggiero Drummer w/Freddie Bell 1983-1985 Freddie's favorite Drummer. Still Living playing w/Van Morrison.
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
- ^ "Elvis live 1956". Elvis.org. Archived from the original on 15 January 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ "RAB Hall of Fame: Bill Black". Rockabillyhall.com. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Freddie Bell: 'Giddy-Up-A Ding Dong' singer". The Independent. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Rumble on the Docks (1956)". IMDb.com. 1 December 1956. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ "The Swinging Set (1964) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb.com. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ "The Dead Rock Stars Club - 2011 January to June". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ "FRANKIE BRENT". Rockabillyhall.com. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
External links
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